CYBER SECURITY
David Fisher (Herald): Hacker claiming to be behind ManageMyHealth breach: ‘I do it for the money and I’m in negotiations to get it’ (paywalled)
Tom Hunt and Kevin Norquay (Post): Claims of crossed fingers and no encryption: Big questions after health data hack (paywalled)
Karanama Ruru (Stuff): Health portal hackers make bizarre post as ransom deadline extends
Rob Stock (Post): Three years after NZ’s largest-ever privacy breach, the investigation isn’t complete (paywalled)
Kim Baker Wilson (RNZ): Manage My Health CEO: ‘Trust us even though we’ve dropped the ball’
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): Frustration mounts as names drip out of those affected by ManageMyHealth data breach
1News: ManageMyHealth data breach: First tranche of affected GPs notified
Lauren Crimp (RNZ): ‘One part terrified, one part really angry’ - Assault victim’s anger over Manage My Health hack
RNZ: Manage My Health breach: ‘A lot of queries’ from patients as anxiety about stolen data grows
RNZ: Manage My Health hack could re-traumatise sexual violence, family harm victims
Lauren Crimp (RNZ): NetSafe warns Manage My Health users to be suspicious of emails including personal details
Karanama Ruru (Stuff): Neighbourly granted injunction after data breach
Whatitiri Te Wake (Te Ao Māori News): ‘Hugely unsettling’: Greens health spokesperson reacts as ManageMyHealth hackers’ deadline hits
PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT
Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): Taxpayer funded electioneering in 2026
Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): How Politicians campaign with your money
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Primer #2 for 2026: Limping towards a second term
Brent Edwards (NBR): New Zealand’s unlikely Deputy Prime Minister (paywalled)
Julie Jacobson (Post): MPs’ domestic travel costs hit $3.4m in nine months (paywalled)
Jordan Meyers (Post): Young voters aren’t disengaged, they’re just under pressure (paywalled)
Neil Sands (Law News): Two top human rights leaders unlawfully appointed, High Court finds
Harriet Laughton (Post): Summer off politics: Tim Costley’s old- fashioned week at the beach (paywalled)
HEALTH
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Health minister blames slow OIA responses on officials, but union points to government’s job cuts
Lauren Crimp (RNZ): Kenepuru urgent care clinic short-staffing unfair on community - union
RNZ: Government boosts mental health funding to support prevention, early intervention
David Farrar: Mental Health system improvements
Amber Allott (Press/Post): Letter sent ‘in error’ left Christchurch man fearing indefinite wait for surgery (paywalled)
FISHING INDUSTRY
Finn Blackwell (RNZ): Fisheries NZ investigating report of illegal fish dumping
Sanda Arambepola (Stuff): Dead fish filmed floating near Great Barrier Island with trawler nearby
Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): Potaka accused of hiding behind court case at endangered turtles’ expense
HOUSING, HOUSE PRICES
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): House values fell 1.0% in 2025 vs bank forecasts for a 7.1% rise (paywalled)
Amelia Wade (Post): From hospital to homelessness: Women’s housing crisis laid bare (paywalled)
Rafaella Melo & Gary Hamilton-Irvine (Hawkes Bay Today): Farmhouse Lodge owners fume at six-hour council raid: ‘Treated like a terrorist’
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WATER
Sue Teodoro (Local Democracy Reporting): Wairarapa councils open most workshops to public
ODT Editorial: Shocking start to Dunedin’s year (paywalled)
Max Frethey (RNZ): Wipes and rocks wreak havoc on Tasman’s wastewater
BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT
Chris Keall (Herald): Brain drain, AI gaps and economic uncertainty: What is worrying big business for 2026 (paywalled)
Aimee Shaw (Post): Woolworths accused of winding back remote work and weekend protections (paywalled)
Mike Thorpe (Herald): Christchurch supermarket Kai Co launched by father and son, promising cheaper food and ‘fairness’
EDUCATION
Cate Macintosh (Press/Post): ‘Change takes time’: New curriculum may not be taught until end of year (paywalled)
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): NZ universities accepting English proficiency tests through Duolingo
Katie Todd (RNZ): Most Queenstown’s school buses to keep running - for now
Gareth Jones (ODT): When emeritus profs are no longer wanted
JUSTICE, POLICE, CRIME
Barbara Napolitano (LawFuel): Scott Russell Named 2025 NZ Lawyer of the Year After $100M Banking Class Action Victory
Kelly Makiha (Herald): Rotorua lawyers demand action over courthouse crisis (paywalled)
IMMIGRATION
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): Call for accountability on ‘flawed’ immigration visa decisions
Katie Todd (RNZ): Nurse’s autistic son could face deportation after Immigration NZ rejects visa
TOURISM
Derek Cheng (Herald): $18m and almost a decade to future-proof Milford Sound. What’s come of it? (paywalled)
Nikki Macdonald (Post): The International Visitor Levy - not what it says on the tin (paywalled)
Alice Peacock (Newsroom): Māori culture goes from being ‘awkward’ to in demand for domestic tourists
RMA, ENVIRONMENT
Bernard Jennings (ODT): New Bills must avoid RMA complexity
Liu Chen (RNZ): Washing your car at home may attract a hefty fine
Phil Pennington (RNZ): New cycle trail builds hit a brick wall - but riders optimistic that will change in 2026
Catherine Knight: “We must face the escalating polycrisis”
VENEZUELA, FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE
Maria Siow (South China Morning Post): US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump over Venezuela despite his ‘cowboy tactics’
Felicity Roxburgh (Newsroom): Don’t dare hope for certainty in trade – just fewer crazy random surprises
OTHER
1News: ‘Only option’: Gold Coast charity busy sending homeless Kiwis back
Ian Llewellyn (BusinessDesk): Power bill overhaul wins public support, but industry uneasy (paywalled)
Andy Macdonald (BusinessDesk): OECD agrees US exemptions in multinationals tax plan (paywalled)
Justin Wong (Local Democracy Reporting): New walking and cycling bridge soars over Wellington rail line
Benn Bathgate (Waikato Times/Post): Residential property the top location, location, location for crime cash in 2025 (paywalled)
Geoff Parker (Herald): Aotearoa, a name and a choice
CARTOONS